RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State women's gymnastics team enters the 2013 season ranked 22nd in the Troester.com preseason polls released Monday. It's the highest preseason ranking for the Wolfpack since the 2001 season when it ranked 19th in the preseason polls.

"I think the preseason ranking says something about how others are starting to perceive us as far as the level of program here and the direction that it's going, so we're pretty happy about having that recognition," said head coach Mark Stevenson.

It marks the sixth time in program history that the Pack has been ranked in the Troester.com preseason polls, since it began in 1998. The last time NC State began the season ranked among the top 25 was prior to the 2008 season when it was No. 25. State has also appeared in the preseason rankings at 25th in 2002, 19th in 2001, 13th in 2000 and 17th in 1999.

The Wolfpack returns NCAA Championship qualifier Rachel Fincham, who claimed the title on bars at the Regional Championships last season. Junior Stephanie Ouellette also returns after leading the team in podium finishes with 18.

State will compete against five of the teams ranked in the top 25, including No. 5 Utah, No. 8 LSU, No. 11 Georgia, No. 20 Denver and No. 24 West Virginia.

"We're going to see a lot of really good teams this year," Stevenson said. "I'm pretty excited about it because I think you compete to the level of your competition."